ATTENTION: Emergency outage for Cougarweb and CATS (telephone registration) until 1:45 pm. More
Offices and day classes closed Friday for In-Service. Technical Communications (TCO)
In business, industry, government, technology and health care, there is a need to communicate information of a technical nature to varied audiences. Technical Communication is the process of translating technical information into forms that different audiences can understand and use. Technical communicators are the translators. They write, edit, and perform page layout and design on user manuals, textbooks, training materials, press releases, memos, environmental impact statements, video scripts and online help files. They design Web pages, develop computer-based training (CBT) modules, prepare multimedia presentations, and develop material for delivery on CD, DVD and the Internet.
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Technical Communication at Columbus State Community College is the only technical communication degree program in central Ohio. The program provides students with the practical, specific skills and technical knowledge needed to get entry-level jobs as technical communicators. All courses are taught in a state-of-the-art computer classroom with a variety of computer applications.
The program is designed to be completed within six quarters of full-time study. Students are required to take eleven courses in Technical Communication (TCO courses) and another 15-25 credits in a single cognate (specialization) area. The choice of the cognate area is up to the student in consultation with the Technical Communication advisor and the advisor in the cognate area. Currently, there are more than 20 approved cognates in areas such as accounting, aviation maintenance, computer programming, marketing, microcomputing and graphic communications. For a complete listing, contact the Technical Communication Program Coordinator.
A technical communicator should be able to discuss projects with a technical expert and know the best way to translate information so that the targeted audience will understand it. The cognate area enhances the knowledge and skills of the technical communicator and provides vocabulary and basic knowledge about the chosen field.
Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Technical Communication, the graduate will be able to:
- Write in the forms most often required of a Technical Communicator: processes, procedures, reports, manuals, Web content, online help, interactive tutorials, etc.
- Translate complex material into clear, concise, and easy-to-use language for specific targeted audiences.
- Participate in the entire project development cycle, both individually and collaboratively, including planning and researching; writing, revising, and editing documents; incorporating graphics and multimedia; and producing a final product.
- Prepare and deliver oral presentations both in formal and informal settings.
- Apply the principles learned in technical cognates to technical communication.
- Critically evaluate existing documentation for clarity, completeness, and effectiveness.
- Apply the tools most widely used in the technical communication field.
- Edit documents individually and collaboratively, using both hard copy and online methods.
- Apply the concepts of time/project management to individual and team projects.
Technical Communication Associate of Applied Science Degree
Quarter 1
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| TCO 101 | Careers in Technical Communication | 2 |
| CIT 101 | PC Applications 1 | 3 |
| * | Technical Cognate | 3-6 |
| XXXX XXX | Math or Science Elective for Tech Cognate | 5 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | . | 16–19 |
Quarter 2
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 102 | Essay and Research | 3 |
| BOA 101 | Business Grammar Usage | 3 |
| HUM XXX | Humanities 111, 112, 113, 151, 152 (or) 224 | 5 |
| TCO 102 | Tools and Tips for Technical Communicators | 3 |
| TCO 203 | Introduction to Technical Communication | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | . | 17 |
Quarter 3
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BOA 167 | Desktop Publishing | 3 |
| COMM 105 | Speech | 3 |
| NSCI 191 | Natural Science I | 5 |
| TCO 204 | Introduction to Technical Editing | 3 |
| * | Technical Cognate | 3-6 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | . | 17–20 |
Quarter 4
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 200 | Business Communications | 3 |
| TCO 223 | Advanced Technical Communication | 3 |
| GRPH 251 | Photoshop and Design I | 5 |
| TCO 214 | Document Design and Delivery Methods | 3 |
| * | Technical Cognate | 3-6 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | . | 17–20 |
Quarter 5
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 110 | Conference and Group Discussion | 3 |
| TCO 215 | Online Documentation | 3 |
| TCO 230 | Technical Presentations | 3 |
| XXX XXX | Technical Writing Elective | 3 |
| * | Technical Cognate | 3–6 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | . | 15–18 |
Quarter 6
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SSCI 101 | Cultural Diversity | 5 |
| TCO 250 | Capstone Project | 3 |
| TCO 260 | Career Development | 1 |
| TCO 290 | Industry Internship | 4 |
| * | Technical Cognate | 3–6 |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | . | 16–19 |
| TOTAL DEGREE CREDIT HOURS | . | 98–113 |
*Between 15-25 hours must be completed in a Technical Cognate.
Technical writing electives may be selected from the following courses:
| Course | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 202 | Writing for the Health and Human Services | 3 |
| COMM 206 | Governmental Communications | 3 |
| COMM 207 | Writing for the Web | 3 |
| COMM 208 | Communication for the Mass Media | 3 |
| ENGL 215 | Magazine Publication | 3 |
| ENGL 280 | Publishing Practicum | 2 |
| TCO 221 | Proposal Development | 3 |
| TCO 222 | Developing Software Documentation | 3 |
| TCO 224 | Advanced Technical Editing | 3 |
| TCO 235 | Instructional Design | 2 |
| TCO 236 | Computer-Based Training | 3 |
| TCO 237 | Digital Video Production for the Workplace | 3 |
| TCO 245 | HTML-Based Online Documentation | 5 |
| TCO 297/298/299 | Special Topics in Technical Communication | 1– 5 |
